11 Ontario Players, Including 8 From League1, Called To Canada U-20

By OSA News, 11/04/16, 3:45PM EDT

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Canada Soccer have named their 18-player squad for a Men's U-20 International Series against fellow CONCACAF member Honduras. The 10-day camp in USA and Honduras runs November 6-15, with international matches against Honduras on the 12th and 14th in Tegucigalpa.

All told, 11 players who got their start in Ontario, including eight players who have experience playing in League1 Ontario, have been called to the team.

The two matches fall during the FIFA international window, which will give Canada an opportunity to bring together some of their top players from both North American and European-based clubs.

"Qualifying is right around the corner so this camp comes at a vital stage in our preparation," said Robert Gale, Canada Soccer's Men's National U-20 Team Coach. "This is a great opportunity for us to bring together players from both sides of the pond."

In the group, 12 of 18 are making their first international trip to Honduras, as six players previously traveled to San Pedro Sula for the 2015 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship. Only four players in the group are making their first trip to Central America, including debutant Sebastian Breza.

The 18 players are attached to clubs in seven countries including Canada. From Canada Soccer's EXCEL Program, Shamit Shome was not selected for this particular camp because his club FC Edmonton are in the NASL playoffs. Unavailable through injuries were Marcus Godinho and Liam Millar.

The younger players that recently fared well during the Men's U-18 series in El Salvador have been added to the roster for this camp. Both Dante Campbell and Shaan Hundal earned their first call ups with the Men's U-20 squad (for players born 1997 or later). Campbell, Hundal, and U-20 regular Ballou Tabla (who recently signed with MLS side Impact Montréal FC) are the three 1999-born players in the camp.

The 2017 CONCACAF Men's Under-20 Championship runs 17 February to 5 March in Costa Rica. From 12 CONCACAF nations, the top four will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 from 20 May to 11 June.

Canada Soccer’s Men’s EXCEL Program channels our nation’s exceptional players into the best soccer environments. The Canada Soccer Pathway works in collaboration with our provincial and territory partners as well as the professional clubs and academies. For Canada’s elite players, the program emphasizes player development on the pathway to representing Canada’s Men’s National Team in international soccer.